Chapter 6.1 Ethiopia Ethiopian roots date back to a time when education and life surrounded religion and monasteries or a place where mostly men known as monks lived a religious life

I. Major Religions in Ethiopia Ethiopia is home to one of the worlds oldest religions called geez. Ethiopia is home to one of the worlds oldest religions called geez. Most early religion was based on Islam but quickly moved to Christianity Most early religion was based on Islam but quickly moved to Christianity Because of its border on the Red Sea, Because of its border on the Red Sea, Ethiopia was a center for trade which brought many different cultures and religions in and out of Ethiopia

A. Establishment of Christianity in Ethiopia Alexandria of Egypt was one of the first centers of Christianity in Africa, and missionaries expanded this teaching by heading out on trade routes Alexandria of Egypt was one of the first centers of Christianity in Africa, and missionaries expanded this teaching by heading out on trade routes Once Christianity made it to Ethiopia it changed and mixed with local religions and became known as Coptic Christianity Once Christianity made it to Ethiopia it changed and mixed with local religions and became known as Coptic Christianity As time went on landforms like the mountains isolated such religion and cut them off from new As time went on landforms like the mountains isolated such religion and cut them off from new societies that were changing and growing

B. Spread of Islam Early on Arab Muslims began spreading over Northern and Eastern Africa but never attempted to take over Ethiopia even though they moved into the area Early on Arab Muslims began spreading over Northern and Eastern Africa but never attempted to take over Ethiopia even though they moved into the area They built up an empire on the Red Sea but again never officially took over the region They built up an empire on the Red Sea but again never officially took over the region Over time they gained control of the whole area and did it in a peaceful way. No war/battle. Over time they gained control of the whole area and did it in a peaceful way. No war/battle.

C. Unique form of Christianity As Arabs gained control of the coastal area the Ethiopians began to move inland and eventually were surrounded by the Muslims As Arabs gained control of the coastal area the Ethiopians began to move inland and eventually were surrounded by the Muslims This isolated them even more causing the Coptic Christianity to become even more unique This isolated them even more causing the Coptic Christianity to become even more unique One thing that was unique was their building methods, they built many churches but built them under ground cut out of rock. One thing that was unique was their building methods, they built many churches but built them under ground cut out of rock.

D. Christian Muslim Interaction For the most part Christians and muslims have co-existed peacefully For the most part Christians and muslims have co-existed peacefully At times they have fought over religious issues and have gone to war but for the most part have been very peaceful At times they have fought over religious issues and have gone to war but for the most part have been very peaceful

II. Contrast in Daily Life Most Ethiopians live in Rural Areas with only 16% living in cities Most Ethiopians live in Rural Areas with only 16% living in cities Public services like running water and electricity are hard to find in the rural areas, most people use donkeys to travel and most are farmers and herders Public services like running water and electricity are hard to find in the rural areas, most people use donkeys to travel and most are farmers and herders

Urban Ethiopia Addis Abada is the capital of Ethiopia and today has a population of 3 million Addis Abada is the capital of Ethiopia and today has a population of 3 million It located at the center of the country and has all of the conveniences of most big cites, from modern hospitals to electricity to running water It located at the center of the country and has all of the conveniences of most big cites, from modern hospitals to electricity to running water

Education is a huge focus here and the capital acts as the center of business Education is a huge focus here and the capital acts as the center of business It has a very diverse population and houses the headquarters for International Organizations for Africa which work on the political and social well being of Africa. It has a very diverse population and houses the headquarters for International Organizations for Africa which work on the political and social well being of Africa.